Dakota Recreation Report- July 15, 2019

Patricia Stockdill | Jul 15, 2019

Outdoor notes:

*Registration now open for fall Wild Outdoor Women Weekend, Lake Metigoshe State Park Sept. 13–15. Contact Amy Schimetz, [email protected] or call, (701) 264-4514 for more information or register at (http://bit.ly/2019FallWOW).

*July 16: OHV certification, Devils Lake. Call (328-5357) to register.

*July 19 -27: Conservation & Outdoor Skills Park, 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., N.D. State Fairgrounds.

Tournaments:

*July 19 -20: Lake Sakakawea, Fort Stevenson State Park.

*July 21: Devils Lake, Grahams Island State Park.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, July 9: 1,449.02 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.05 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,851.85 MSL; 46,700 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Clear Lake producing a few walleye, but more anglers still going to Goose Lake, which slowed a little but continues producing some walleye. Devils Lake slowed for walleye but those caught are nice eating size. Anglers working hard for a limit, though. Try 15 to 17 feet. Pike slowed considerably. Spotty walleye success on the east end of Lake Sakakawea.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Look for continued white bass success along the bridges. Try the northern lakes for walleye or the Golden Highway along Grahams Island. Lots of small fish.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Fair to good for small walleye. Work deeper in 15 to 20 feet with spinners and bottom bouncers for larger fish. Move around.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Improving walleye success. Try spinners and bottom bouncers with leeches or nightcrawlers. Work shallow in the weed beds and out into deeper water.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good for walleye with late evening still the best time. Try spinners and bottom bouncers in 10 feet and deeper or vertical jigging in 25 to 30 feet for larger fish. Work along the highways. Move around to locate white bass with better success on calm days in shallow water.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Not many new reports from area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: Look for a mix of crappie, walleye, and perch from Jamestown Reservoir. Continued success throughout area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Somewhat slower walleye success across several area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Inconsistent weather and storms slowing activity.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Fair to good for a mix of walleye, bluegill, and some bass. Move around throughout the lake.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait and Tackle, Garrison: East end of Lake Sakakawea so-so for walleye. Move around and try a variety of presentations. No reports from Lake Audubon or Missouri River.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Fair for walleye in 15 to 25 feet using spinners with leeches or nightcrawlers. Work the points along the south shore or Pepsi Point on the north side depending on the wind.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River continues producing fair walleye success in the morning. Try jigs and plastics, minnow, or nightcrawlers. Also try Lindy rigs. Work the spillway channel inlet or down river around the cable crossing. Spillway is spotty. Chutes inconsistent but look for some trout, walleye, salmon, or catfish using 3-way swivels. Shore success also inconsistent, likely due to changing weather fronts. Most activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea is along Steinke Bay, Wolf Creek, Sakakawea State Park, or east and south side of Mallard Island. Try 22 feet with Lindy rigs and nightcrawlers. Also try casting minnows and plastics up towards shore in shallow water. Bite is inconsistent overall, however. Try 60 to 80 feet for salmon using squids and flashers or herring.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey:

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: Generally quiet but look for occasional pike.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Not much activity.

*Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: Look for some nice-sized smallmouth bass.

*Spiritwood Lake, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Fair bass success.

N.D. rivers:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 2.14 feet; streamflow, 26.9 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 1.92 feet; streamflow, 49.6 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks, River stage, 18.75 feet; streamflow, 6,566 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 4.34 feet; streamflow, 423 CFS.

Numbers to know:

*N.D. Game and Fish Department, main Bismarck office: (701) 328-6300, website: (http://gf.nd.gov).